Google findability · Business Profile + search plan ← Site mockup

Local search

Google search & Maps plan

Most pet parents type “dog groomer near me” or “dog grooming [city]” — they almost never know the shop’s weird Facebook name. Google Business Profile (Maps) is how you stop being invisible.

Hard truth: if the salon has no Google listing, wrong hours, or zero photos, you will keep saying “I have no idea how to find this place.” Fix Maps first. Website second. Facebook third.

1. What “being findable” means

Someone searches…They should see…
dog groomer near me Shop pin on Maps + stars + phone
dog grooming [City] TX Local pack (map 3-pack) or organic listing
[Shop Name] grooming Exact Business Profile, not a random tag
doodle groomer [City] Photos + posts that say doodle/teddy (secondary)
Misti groomer [City] (later) Only if her name is on the site/FB/Google description

2. Google Business Profile — setup (owner or manager)

  1. Go to business.google.com (or Google Maps → “Add your business”).
  2. Business name: exact shop name on the door / invoices. No keyword stuffing (“Best Dog Grooming Cheap!!”).
  3. Category: primary Dog groomer. Add Pet groomer if available.
  4. Address: real service address. Enable “show on Maps.”
  5. Service area: only if mobile; for a salon use the storefront address.
  6. Phone: one main number that humans answer. Match Facebook & website.
  7. Hours: real hours + holiday hours. Wrong hours = angry reviews.
  8. Website: shop site when live (mockup can wait). Can use Facebook Page URL short-term.
  9. Verify: postcard / phone / email — must finish verification or you don’t rank.
  10. Add manager: owner + one trusted person (Misti or front desk) as manager — not shared personal Gmail chaos.

3. Profile fields that actually move the needle

FieldWhat to put
Description (750 chars) See paste block below — city + services + “book by phone” + gentle handling
Services Full Groom, Bath & Tidy, Deshed, Nail Trim, Puppy Intro — with price ranges
Attributes Women-led, LGBTQ+ friendly (if true), wheelchair accessible, appointments required, etc.
Photos Logo, storefront, interior, 10+ grooms, parking if useful. Monthly uploads.
Products / menu Optional packages (Puppy first groom, Spa add-ons)
Booking link When you have one; else phone CTA is fine
Messaging On, with auto-reply: hours + “include breed + service”

Google Business description (paste)

[SHOP NAME] is a professional dog grooming salon in [City], Texas. We offer full grooms, bath and tidy, seasonal deshed, nail care, and breed-aware cuts for doodles, poodles, double coats, and family dogs.

We focus on calm handling, clean finish work, and clear pricing before we start—especially for matted coats or first-time pups. Appointments recommended.

Services include:
• Full groom (style or breed cut)
• Bath, brush, dry & tidy
• Deshed treatments
• Nails, ears, sanitary trims

Serving pet parents in [City], [Nearby1], and [Nearby2]. Call [PHONE] to book or ask for availability. Street address: [ADDRESS].

(Optional) Ask for Misti when booking if you’d like her as your groomer.

4. Keyword plan (what to rank for)

Primary (must win locally):

Secondary (photos + posts + services text):

You don’t “buy” these with spam titles. You earn them with category + city in description + reviews that mention the city/service + photos labeled with breed + consistent NAP (Name, Address, Phone identical everywhere).

5. Review engine (this is the ranking cheat code)

  1. After every happy pickup: “If we earned it, a Google review helps other dog parents find us.”
  2. Send a short link: Google Maps → shop → Write a review (or use the review QR at the desk).
  3. Goal: 2–4 new reviews / month minimum until you pass competitors’ count.
  4. Reply to every review in 48 hours (thank + soft CTA).
  5. Never buy reviews. Never review from the shop’s own phones in a fake pattern.

Text clients can copy

Hey! Thanks for trusting us with [DogName] today 🐶
If you have 30 seconds, a Google review helps local dog parents find us:
[PASTE GOOGLE REVIEW LINK]

Thank you!
[SHOP NAME]

Owner reply templates

5★:
“Thank you, [Name]! [Dog] was wonderful. We’d love to see you both again — call [PHONE] anytime.”

4★:
“Thanks for the feedback, [Name]. Glad [Dog] looked great — tell us next visit if you want anything adjusted on the cut.”

1–3★ (stay calm):
“We’re sorry this missed the mark. Please call the shop at [PHONE] so we can make it right for [Dog].”

6. Weekly Google routine (15 minutes)

TaskTime
Upload 3–5 new photos (grooms / shop)5 min
Reply to new reviews / questions5 min
One Google Post (“openings this week” or before/after)5 min
Check hours & phone still correct1 min

Google Post templates

POST A — Openings
“Openings this week for full grooms and bath & tidy. Call [PHONE] to book. [City] dog grooming at [SHOP NAME].”

POST B — Before/after
“Fresh doodle teddy ✂️ Full groom at [SHOP NAME], [City]. Book: [PHONE]”

POST C — Education
“Double coats need deshed + proper dry — not just a wash. Ask us about seasonal blowouts.”

7. NAP consistency (stop confusing Google)

Everywhere must match character-for-character where possible:

[SHOP NAME]
[Street address]
[City], TX [ZIP]
[Phone formatted one way only, e.g. (817) 555-0100]
https://[website-or-facebook]

8. How to test “can people find us?”

  1. On your phone, turn on location near the shop (or use the real city).
  2. Incognito / not logged into the shop account.
  3. Search: dog groomer near me — screenshot rank.
  4. Search: dog grooming [City] — screenshot.
  5. Search: [Shop Name] — must hit your profile #1.
  6. Maps: pin correct? hours? photos? call button?
  7. Have a friend who doesn’t know the address try to navigate cold.

9. If you’re thinking of moving Misti to another salon

Findability is a shop asset. Reviews and the Maps pin belong to the business, not the individual groomer.

10. Optional paid boost (only after free is solid)

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